The Immunology, Pathology and Infectious Disease Doctoral Program emphasizes molecular biological, immunological, and genetic mechanisms of disease, while actively combining clinical and applied research with basic research interests. The mission of the program is to conduct the best possible research and provide the most rigorous and inspiring training in the areas of microbiology, pathology, immunology, neuroimmunology, host-pathogen interaction, and related fields. This diversity of research interests offers students distinctive and highly individualized opportunities for graduate training.

Immunology research focuses on understanding immune responses as important mediators in many common disorders including, metabolic, neurodegenerative, autoimmune, cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases; and developing novel diagnostics and immunotherapeutics. Students will be able to work together with a multifaceted research team with interests ranging from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, oncology, hematology, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases to neurologic dysfunction.

Infectious disease research encompasses multiple areas, including an interdisciplinary team from the Center of Staphylococcal Research (CSR) that studies bacterial pathogenesis and metabolism, mechanisms of biofilm formation, and mechanisms of biofilm immune evasion, HIV pathology, and antibacterial drug development. Students will participate in investigations of microbes and their interactions with various host systems, having a tremendous impact not only for the health of humans, but also for the health and welfare of global ecosystems.

Molecular pathogenesis research focuses on functional genomics, cancer biology, signal transduction, and targeted therapeutics. Students will be able to work with an interdisciplinary team from the Center for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research (CLLR), a renowned UNMC group that provides excellent patient care and treatment, innovative clinical and translational research, and graduate training.

Research Interests

Immunology and Disease:

Mechanisms of host immune impairment in infectious diseases

Host-pathogen interaction

Mechanisms of autoimmune diseases

Immune aspects of lysosomal storage diseases

Metabolism and immunity

Vaccine therapy for cancers

Host- tumor interactions

Alcohol effects on innate immunity

Cytokines for adjuvant activity for vaccines

Cytokine therapy in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes

Role of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases

Microglial/macrophage modulation of neural activity

Psychoneural regulation of the immune system

Cytokine receptor function in the CNS

Molecular Pathogenesis:

Functional genomics, lymphoma and leukemia

Pathogenesis of lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma, initiation, development, and relapse

Targeted therapy in lymphoma and leukemia

Functional role of miRNA in lymphomagenesis

Signal transduction in lymphomagenesis

Epigenetic alterations in malignant lymphoma

Gene expression profiling and next generation sequencing studies in lymphomas